RLA Pastor's blog

It was a nightmare of a marriage from the start. She was a wife unloved by her husband. His heart belonged to another, and it always would. He was an unsuspecting groom tricked into the marriage by the bride’s father, a devious old schemer named Laban. Caught in the web of a polygamous triangle, she was destined to live the rest of her life as the woman love forgot. In spite of this, Leah genuinely loved Jacob and would remain true to him until death dissolved their sad union.

Leah was nice, but her sister Rachel was drop-dead gorgeous. While Rachel owned Jacob’s heart, Leah was having his babies. A lot of them! The first was Reuben, whose name means “Behold a son.” Leah chose the name saying, “The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me” (Genesis 29:32). Then came Simeon which means “Hearing,” for Leah said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also” (Genesis 29:33). Despite the fact she had given Jacob two sons, Leah failed to capture her husband’s love.​

Then the third son was born, and his mother named him Levi meaning “Joined.” Leah reasoned, “Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons” (Genesis 29:34). That’s a tall order to place on any child — to be the means by which your parents are united in a loving relationship. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. Levi the joiner failed to live up to his name. Jacob and Leah died as they had lived.

Later in the Old Testament we learn that from Levi’s descendants came the priestly tribe of Israel. They offered sacrifices on behalf of the people in an effort to unite them to a holy God. The attempts of the Levitical priesthood were more successful than those of their dear, departed ancestor, but still incomplete.

And then we turn to the pages of the New Testament where we read about the birth of another Son. The prophet Isaiah spoke of this Son when he wrote, “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given…and His name will be called…Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Mary’s Son would succeed where Leah’s son failed. This Son would be the ultimate Joiner, Uniter, Peacemaker, and Mediator,“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

Through Jesus Christ and His death at Calvary, we can be joined in right relationship with the Father. The Bible word is reconciliation, and it signifies the broken relationship is now healed. Christ has the ability to heal our relationship with God, and our relationships with people. A broken marriage. An estranged child. A wounded friendship. All can find healing in Jesus.

Where Levi and his descendants fell short, Christ succeeded! And He did so for you and for me.